Device for injecting fluids into the soil



Filed May 19, 1939 Oct. 22, 41940.

c. H. MGDANNEL ET A1.

DEVICE FOR INJECTING FLUIDS INTO THE SOIL Patented Oct. 22., 1940 UNiTEo STATES met orifice DEVICE FOR. INJEC'INIEr FLUIDS INTO THE t Clarence H. McDannel and Clarence 0. McDannel,

f Caldwell, Idaho Application May I9, 1939, Serial No.' 274,599 il 4 anims. (o1. 47-49) rIhis invention relates to an injector or gun7 and relates more particularly to a device of this nature meful in introducing Weed destroying chemicals, fertilizers, etc., into the ground. A

general object of this invention is to provide ay ing of plants, the destructionv of gophers and moles, and forv other purposes.

1 5 Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the character mentioned that may be regulated or adjusted to discharge any selected quantity of iiuid at any selected distance below the ground surface. f

Another object of this invention is to provide` an injector of the character mentioned vthatis operable to discharge the fluid into the soil under a substantial pressure to assure the desired distribution of dispersion of the fluid in prac- K tically all kinds of soil.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the character mentioned that is entirely self-contained, embodying a needle or discharge lelement to be forced into the soil, a container for the iiuid and a pump means operable by the operator to force measured quantitiesk of the fluid into the earth. f Another object of this invention is to provide a 'device ofthe character mentioned in which the pump means is easily operated by a simple push or downward force.

A further object of this inventionis to proy vide a device of the character mentioned kthat is simple and compact and light in weight, .to be 40 easily transported and operated.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a device of the character mentioned that will not become clogged or made inoperative by the entrance of soil or solid matter and will not drip or leak.

The various objects and features of our-.invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of typical preferred forms and applications of the invention, throughout which description reference is. made to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a side elevation of the device of the present invention with the plunger rod in its lowermost position. Fig. 2 is an enlarged central longitudinal detailed sectional View broken away tubular member or structure.

'able upon loosening of the nut I'I.

to show the principal parts of the device in 'section, the valve and plunger rod being shown in elevation, and Fig. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional View of a modified or alternative form of construction. The gun or injector of the present invention may be said to comprise, generally, an elongate column or bodyII),` a container H on the body Ii) supplying fluid thereto, av discharge member i2 on the body Il] to be forced into the soil, and i0v pump means I3 in the body Infor discharging measured quantities of the fluid from the mem-l ber I2.

The column or body I0 carries the various other elements of the device and is an elongate In the preferred construction the body I0 comprises an upper section I4 and a lower section I5. A suitable handle I@ is provided on the upper endl of the upper body section I4 to facilitate the carrying and Gp- 2() erating of the device. Inthe case illustrated the upper wall portion of section I4 yis curved or bent inwardy and the handle It projects laterallyor horizontally in opposite directions from this constricted portion of thesection I4. The handle 2,5

I6 may be in the nature of rod stock or tubular stock welded to the body section i4. The lower end part of the upper section Ill is reduced in diameter for connection With the ,lower section I5. The lower endl part of the upper section I4 30 is reduced in diameter for connection with the lowersection I5. In the form of the invention being described the reduced lower portion of the section I4 is threaded in the upper part of the lower section l5 to connect the two body sec- 35 tions. A lock nut I'I is threaded on the section I4 to lock the sections It and I5 against relative threading. It is to be observed that the connection between the sections I4 and I5 is adjust- The lower 40 body section I5 forms the barrel of the pum-p means I3'as will be later described, and vserves tocarry the needle or discharge member I2. The body I0 just described is in a generally vertical position when thedevice is in use. 45

The container II is provided to hold the fluid to be injected in the ground. The container Ii may be proportioned to carry a substantial quantity of the fluid andis associated with the upper section I4 of the body It tosupply the iiuid 50 to its interior. In accordance -withthe broader aspects ofthe invention the containerl II may be secured to the body II) in any selected manner. In the ease illustrated the body section I4 passes vertically through substantially central 55 openings I8 in the upper and lower walls of the container II and welding I5 secures the contain er to the section I4 and seals oi 'the openings I8. A lling opening in the upper wall of the container II is normally closed by a removable cap 2B. One or more ports 2i are provided in the wall of the body section I4 to place the container II in communication with the interior of the body section. When the container II .is secured to the body I4, as described above, it is preferred to space the container between the upper and lower ends of the section I4 and to arrange the container in concentric relation with the body. The container EI is preferably cylindrical when mounted in concentric relation with the body.

The discharge member I2 is in the nature of a spike or needle secured tothe lower end of the body I0 and designed to be forced into the earth to conduct the fluid downwardly and to discharge `the uid under pressure into the earth. The

member I2 is an elongate tubular member arranged in aligned or concentric relation with the body I0. In practice the member I 2 is considerably smaller in diameter than the body I0 to better enter the soil. The reduced member I2 may be connected with the lower end of the lower body section I5 in any suitable or practical manner. In the case illustrated a tapered portion 22 serves to connect the section I5 with the upper end of the member I2. A sharpened or pointed tip 23 is replaceably threaded on the lower end of the discharge member I2 and isI designed to readily enter and penetrate the soil. The opening or longitudinal passage 24 of the member I2 is in direct communication with the lower end of the body section I5 and the tip 23 has a socket 25 communicating with the lower end of the passage 24. A pluralityV of circumferentially spaced discharge ports 23 is provided in the tip 23 to communicate with the socket 25. The ports 26 preferably face horizontally or laterally. The tip 23 isI valued as will be later described.

In accordance with the invention the needlelike discharge member I2 is provided with a foot piece and stop 2'! to facilitate the forcing of the member into the soil and to limit the distance the member may enter the soil. The stop 2'I projects laterally from the member l 2 and is shaped to be conveniently engaged by the operators foot for the application of a down pressure. The foot piece and stop 2! Ais a at, generally horizontal, member whose lower side is adapted to engage the ground Surfaceto stop the downward movement ofl the member I2. In accordance with the invention the stop 'Z'I is adjustable longitudinally on the member I2 so that the device may be adjusted or regulated to discharge the Iluid at any selected depth. An opening 28 eX-4 tends vertically through the stop 21 and slidably passes the member I2 whereby the stop may be shifted vertically along the member. A clamp screw 29 is threaded in a horizontal opening in the stop 21 and is adapted to clamp against the member I2 to hold or set the stop in any selected position. Upon loosening the clamp screw 23 the foot piece and stop 21 may be moved along the member I2 to the selected position.

The pump means I3 is actuated by the operator to force a given or measured quantity of fluid e plunger 30 is received in the body sections I4 and I5 with substantial clearance and packing is provided in the body to seal with the plunger. A packing assembly is held between the lower end of the body section I4 and an annular bead 3| on the section I5 formed by indenting the wall of the section I5. This packing assembly may comprise metal follower rings 32 engaged against the lower end of the section I4 and the bead 3l and an annular body of packing 33 is engaged between the rings 32. The packing 33 may be laminated or may be a solid piece. The packing 33 of course seals around the shiftable plunger 30 and seals with the internal wall of the body secl for compressing or adjusting the packing for sealing about the plunger 30. It is to be observed that the portion of the body section I5 below the packing means forms a pump chamber or displacement chamber C.

The pump means I3 further includes a rod 34 secured to the plunger 3l] and extending upwardly through the body Il! to the upper end of the device. The upper portion of the plunger 33 may be reduced to receive the end part of the rod 34 and the rod may be welded to the plunger 30 at 35. The rod 34 passes upwardly through the body IB with considerable clearance and projects upwardly beyond the upper end of the body section I4. A tubular extension or guide 3G is provided on the upper end of the body section I4 and slidably passes the plunger rod 34 to guide the rod and the plunger l3Il. 'I'he guide 3E may be melded or otherwise xed in the reduced upper part of the body section I4. A stop collar 31 lis welded or otherwise fixed to the rod 34 and is r engageable with the lower end of the guide 33 to I-g limit the upward movement of the rod and the plunger 30. An adjustable stop collar 38 is arranged on the projecting portion of the rod 34 and is engageable with the upper end of the guide 36 to limit the downward travel of the rod and the plunger 30 to determine or limit the quantity of fluid discharged at each operation. The stop collar 38 may be releasably secured in the selected position by a clamp screw 39. The stop collar 38 may be adjusted along the rod 34 to any selected position and then locked in place by the screw 39 to provide for the discharge of any selected quantity of uid by the means I3 at each operation. A suitable handle 45 is liXed to the upper end of the plunger 34 to facilitate the manual operation of the pump means I3. It is to be observed that the upper end of the guide 36 is some distance above the handle I3 so that the engagement of the stop collar 38 with the guide 36 cannot pinch the operators hand grasping the handle I 6.

The interior of the tubular plunger 3i] is in communication with the upper portion of the body II! and the container I I. One or mone ports 4I are provided in the upper portion of the plunger 35 to place the interior of the plunger in communication with the upper body section I4 and the container III. The' pump means I3 further includes an inlet valve or traveling valve j 42 controlling communication between the interior of the tubular plunger 33 and the pump chamber C. The valve 42 may be a conical pluglike element adapted to partially enter the lower end of the plunger 30 to seal with the lower inner edge of the plunger. Spring means controls the valve 42. A helical extension spring 43 is con-` nected between the valve 42 `and a suitable part of the plunger structure. In the preferred construction illustrated the upper end of the spring 43 is secured to an eye 44 on the lower end of the rod Si rand the lower end of the spring is secured to a rod or stiif wire 45 which, in turn, is connected with the valve 42. The lo-wer portion of the wire l5 may be soldered or otherwise fixed in an opening Il@ in the upper end of the valve 42 and with the spring @I3 it forms a valve support that is yieldable to permit opening of the valve during the upstroke of the plunger 30.

The purnpmeans I3 further includes a foot valve or discharge valve 41 for controlling the discharge of fluid from the chamber C and for preventing the entrance of soil and other solid matter to the chamber during the upstroke of the plunger 3Q. The valve 4l may be in the nature of a ball seating upwardly against the lower end of the member I2 to close its passage 24. The ball 4l is contained in the socket y25 'of the tip 23 and is urged to its closed position by an helical spring 43 arranged under compression between the valve and the lower wall of the socket 25. During the down stroke of the plunger 30 the valve Il opens to allow the fluid to discharge through the socket 25 and the ports 26.

Fig. 3 illustrates an optional or modified form of construction. In this case the body Il)a comprises two elongate tubular sections I4a and I5a corresponding in location and function to the above described sections I4 and I5. The sections III.EL and I5a have thin-walled telescopically related end portions 5I) and 5I, respectively. The portion 5I! extends downwardly into the portion 5I so that its lower end forms'a shoulder in the section I5a. An internal upwardly facing shoulder 52 occurs Jon the member I5EI in spaced relation to the lower end of the portion 50. A split clamp 53 is engaged aboutthe portion 5I and is adapted to be actuated or tightened by a screw 54 to clamp the portion'EI onto the portion 50. A packing assembly is arranged in the section 5I to seal about the plunger 3E?.A This packing assembly may comprise metal rings 32a arranged against the lower end of the portion 50 and the shoulder 52 and a tubular body of packing 33a arranged between the rings to seal about the plunger 30. The packing means maybe adjusted or tightened by loosening the screw 54 and then driving the section III*1v vice is to be used for weed eradication carbonv bisulphide or a similar4 liquid may beprovided in the .container il and where the device is to be used in the fertilization of plants a suitable f liquid fertilizer is provided in the container II. The stop collar 38 may be adjusted along the plunger rod 34 and locked in position by the clamp screw 3d to provide for the discharge of the liquid in any selected quantity. For example, the stop collar 38 may be set to cause the pump means I3 to discharge about two ounces of the liquid with each operation. The screw 29 may be backed of.F and the stop 2l may be adjusted along the member I2 to condition the device for the injection of the liquid at any selected depth below the ground surface. The device is then in condition for operation.

the plunger 30 is in its up position and that the i device is primed, the handle 45 is then grasped and a downward force is put on the plunger rod 34 to drive the plunger 30 downwardly. Downward movement of the plunger 30 through the chamber C results in the displacement of fluid from the chamber through the passage 24, the

socket 25 and the ports 26. The valve 42 is closed l during the down stroke of the plunger 3i! and the valve 4l opens when the pressure in the. charnber C increases with 4the downward stroke of the plunger. The plunger SI! is moved downwardly until the collar 38 engages against the guide 35 to limit the down stroke. The. stroke of the plunger Sil is thus limited so that a given quantity of the liquid or fluid is injected into the soil. It will be observed that the fluid is forced into the soil under a substantial pressure so that it penetrates the soil even in cases where then moved to its up position to recharge the chamber C. During the upstroke of the plunger 30 the valve il is closed and the valve 42 opens to allow the free flow of the fluid through the plunger into the chamber C. The above operations may, if desired, be repeated to force several charges of the fluid into the soil. When the operations are completed the member I 2 is pulled from the ground sothat the device may be carried to another location for operation. v

Having described only typical preferred forms and applications of our invention we do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve. to ourselves any variations or modications that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of lthe following claims.

Having described our invention, we claim:`

1. A device for injecting iiuid into the soil including a tubular body, a packing held on a stationary abutment in the body, a container secured to the'body to be in communication with the upper part of the body, a needle member on the lower end of the body adapted to be forced into the soil and having a discharge port leading from the body, an elongate tubular plunger recipro` cable in the body through the packing, the exterior of the plunger being uniform in diameter throughout its length to iit the packing and the plunger having its upper end in communication with the body above .the packing, a valve forclosing the lower end of the plunger and adapted to open upon the development of reduced pressure in the lower portion of the body, a spring within the plunger for yieldingly urging the valve to its 'closed position, a rod projecting from the body for operating the plunger, and an inwardly closing check valve controlling said port.'

2. A device for injecting fluid into the ground comprising an elongate body including two tubular sections, means connecting adjacent ends of the sections for relative longitudinal adjustment, a needle member ron the lower end of the lower body section adapted to be entered in the soil and having a port for the discharge of fluid, a container carried by the upper body section to supply fluid thereto, an elongated tubular plunger reciprocable in the body, packing'means arranged between opposing faces on the sections below the point at which fluid is supplied to the plunger to seal about-the plunger and compressed by said adjustment of the sections, a downwardly `opening valve controlling flow through the plunger, an eX- tensible spring in the plunger for closing the Valve, and a downwardly opening spring-held valve closing said port of the needle member. v

3. A device for injecting fluid into the ground comprising an .elongate body including two tubular sections, means connecting adjacent ends of the sections for relative longitudinal adjustment, a needle member on the lower end of the lower body section adapted to be entered in the soil and having a port for the discharge of uid, a container carried by the upper body section above the connecting means to supply fluid to the upper portion thereof, an elongated tubular plunger reciprocable in the body, packing means arranged between opposing faces on the sections to seal about the plunger and compressed by said adjustment of the sections, a downwardly opening Valve engaging the lower end of the plunger controlling i'low through the plunger, a spring acting under tension between the valve and a fixed part adjacent the upper end of the plunger and urging the valve closed, a spring-held check valve controlling said port, a rod on the plunger projecting from the upper end of the body, an operating handle 'onfthe rod, and a handle on the upper end of the body.

4. A device for injecting uid into the soil including a tubular body, a packing held on a stationary abutment in the body, a container secured to the body to surround the upper portion thereof and having communication with the body at a point above the packing, a needle member on the lower end of the body adapted to be forced into the soil and having a discharge port leading from the body, a tubular plunger operable in the body in engagement with the packing to displace charges of fluid from the body through said port, the plunger being of uniform external diameter to slidably fit the packing throughout the length of its stroke and being open at its upper end to receive uid from the upper part of the body and being formed with an open lower end tol discharge fluid into the body below the packing, a valve for closing the lower end of the plunger, a tension spring connected between the valve and a fixed part adjacent the upper end of the plunger normally holding the valve closed, and a rod on the plunger extending from the body for operating the plunger,

' CLARENCE I-I. MCDANNEL. CLARENCE Ol. MCDANNEL. 

